Does the Bible talk about Dinosaurs? Is it possible that people in the Bible knew about and perhaps had seen them? You might be surprised by what many scientists and theologians have to say.
Also, find out about some incredible resources for those interested in learning more about creation science and dinosaurs. If you’re a homeschooler, a parent, or just someone who wants to learn more, you can check them out in today’s post.
Today’s Readings:
Job 39 & 40
Psalm 101.1-4
Proverbs 23.29-30:
1 Corinthians 6.1-20
Are There Dinosaurs in the Bible?
Job 39 & 40:
Demanding Answers
Before we talk about our title subject, I’d like to make a comment about Job himself.
Even though Job was a righteous man, he had, perhaps pridefully, believed he needed to understand why he was suffering and enduring all his trials.
But in this passage, God opened his eyes to just how little he really understood. Job quickly acknowledged his mistake. Job 40:3-5:
Then Job answered the Lord and said: “Behold, I am vile; What shall I answer You? I lay my hand over my mouth. Once I have spoken, but I will not answer; Yes, twice, but I will proceed no further.”
Like Job, when we go through tests and trials, we often demand to know “why?” I wrote more on this subject in a recent post. If you missed it, you might want to check out: “Why Me?”
Now let’s look at another portion of today’s readings. This was part of God’s response to Job’s questioning but it also provides us with some interesting information about the world as it existed in Job’s time.
Does the Bible Talk about Dinosaurs?
Job 40:15-24:
15 “Look now at the behemoth, which I made along with you;
He eats grass like an ox.
16 See now, his strength is in his hips,
And his power is in his stomach muscles.
17 He moves his tail like a cedar;
The sinews of his thighs are tightly knit.
18 His bones are like beams of bronze,
His ribs like bars of iron.
19 He is the first of the ways of God;
Only He who made him can bring near His sword.
20 Surely the mountains yield food for him,
And all the beasts of the field play there.
21 He lies under the lotus trees,
In a covert of reeds and marsh.
22 The lotus trees cover him with their shade;
The willows by the brook surround him.
23 Indeed the river may rage,
Yet he is not disturbed;
He is confident, though the Jordan gushes into his mouth,
24 Though he takes it in his eyes,
Or one pierces his nose with a snare.
John MacArthur in his Daily Bible comments had this to say:
While this [behemoth] is a generic term used commonly in the Old Testament for large cattle or land animals, the description in this passage suggests an extraordinary creature. The hippopotamus has been suggested by the details in the passage (vv. 19–24). However, the short tail of a hippo is hardly consistent with v. 17, where tail could be translated “trunk.” It could refer to an elephant, who could be considered “first” or chief of God’s creatures whom only He can control (v. 19). Some believe God is describing His most impressive creation of land animals, the dinosaur species, which fit all the characteristics.
You might be surprised to learn that there are many who believe the “behemoth” spoken about in this passage was a dinosaur. If so, that would mean Job knew what dinosaurs were. The most likely explanation would be because they co-existed with people instead of living “millions and millions of years ago,” as we are told in the world of secular science.
A Different Timeline for History
Today there are many scientists, as well as theologians, who believe the Bible’s account of creation. That includes a very different timeline for history.
Dr. Henry Morris was a scientist and a theologian. He has been called “the father of modern creation science” by both believers and skeptics. He founded the Institute for Creation Research. In his Study Bible which has been endorsed by people like Ken Ham, John MacArthur, and Tim LaHaye, he says this about some of the words and phrases used here:
40:15 behemoth. The word “behemoth” means, simply, “huge beast,” and commentators commonly take it to be either an elephant or a hippopotamus. The subsequent description, however, fits neither of these, nor any other living animal. On the other hand, it seems to match the probable description of a great land dinosaur, such as the tyrannosaurus.
40:17 tail like a cedar. No elephant or hippo has a tail like a cedar! This description supports the theory mentioned above that a behemoth may have been a dinosaur (see notes for 40.19).
40:19 chief of the ways. The behemoth was the “chief” of all created land animals, which could only, therefore, have been one of the great land dinosaurs. These, like all other animals, were created on the fifth and sixth days of creation week. Seemingly, the dinosaur had representatives preserved on Noah’s ark. Some descendants survived to Job’s day, giving rise to all the traditions of dragons in various parts of the world.
Helpful Resources
Tomorrow we’ll talk about another passage that may very well describe a dinosaur. Be sure to sign up to receive the daily posts so you don’t miss it.
If you’d like to learn more about creation science, there are a variety of good websites and resources. Besides the Institute for Creation Research, Ken Ham has an organization called Answers in Genesis. They are the creators of the Ark Encounter in Williamstown, Kentucky, that you may have seen advertised or even visited.
The Institute for Creation Research produces books and videos, does conferences, and has recently built a new science and history museum in the Dallas area. I understand that it’s a $35-40 million dollar project. You can go to their website and learn more about it and their other resources.
Today’s Other Readings:
Psalm 101.1-4:
Knowing Sin Intimately
David declared that he would “not know wickedness.” The word for “know” there means to know something definitely or intimately. It is the same word used to say that Adam “knew” Eve and they conceived a son. So while we are all sinners and will fall short of God’s best, if we are believers we won’t choose to “know” sin intimately. We won’t hang on to it. We will repent and seek to turn from it.
Proverbs 23.29-30:
Those Who Linger Long at the Wine
Who has woe? Who has sorrow? Who has contentions? Who has complaints? Who has wounds without cause? Who has redness of eyes? Those who linger long at the wine, Those who go in search of mixed wine.
Nothing much has changed when it comes to drunkenness!
While the Bible doesn’t condemn all drinking, it does forbid drunkenness (Eph. 5.18) and warns against the dangers of drinking to excess (Gal. 5.21; Prov. 20.1; Hos. 4.11; Is. 5.11). It also tells us to not let our freedom be a stumbling block to others (Rom. 14.21).
1 Corinthians 6.1-20:
Suing Another Believer
Now therefore, it is already an utter failure for you that you go to law against one another. Why do you not rather accept wrong? Why do you not rather let yourselves be cheated? No, you yourselves do wrong and cheat, and you do these things to your brethren! Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? (1 Cor. 6.7-9a).
Believers are forbidden to sue or take other believers to court. As believers, we should be able to work out our differences, either between ourselves or with the help of our pastors or church leaders.
The question for us is the same as it was for the Corinthians, “Why do you not rather accept wrong … or let yourselves be cheated?”
A Christian does not need to be constantly defending his or her rights, looking out for number one, or making sure she is not a “doormat.” We should be much more concerned about whether God is receiving glory through our lives and responses. Romans 12.19b-21 tells us:
“Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. 20 Therefore “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; If he is thirsty, give him a drink; For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.” 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
I know there are times when we are sued by someone else or a spouse has filed for a divorce or petitioned the court to take away custody of minor children. In those cases, Romans 13 tells us that we are to obey the civil authorities and should respond to the summons or other requests. That often means hiring a lawyer to help us. But even then, we are not to have a get-even or a get-all-I-can attitude. Instead, we should respond faithfully, truthfully, kindly, and by trusting God.
Coming Up:
In the coming days, as we finish the book of Job, spend time in 1 Corinthians, and continue our yearlong journey through Psalms and Proverbs, we’ll talk about marriage and divorce, what our heroes say about where our treasure is, and the balance between freedom and stumbling blocks.
I hope you’ll sign up so you don’t miss any of them. You might also like to check out our YouTube channel.
If this post spoke to you, I would love it if you would share it on your favorite social media platform.
And if you don’t already have a copy, you might want to purchase a copy of my eBook, 10 Benefits of Keeping a Spiritual Journal. It’s available on Kindle or in paperback (the paperback has 31 days of blank journaling pages with prompts to help you get started).
Blessings as you grow in Christ,
Donna ♥
Note about this post:
I began blogging through the Bible in 2012 and have done so every year since then. These posts are the product of many edits and additions throughout those years. Some days I make major changes, other days fewer.
A while ago, I read Jen Wilkin’s book None Like Him about the attributes of God. One is His incomprehensibility. In it, she says, “God is incomprehensible. This does not mean that he is unknowable, but that he is unable to be fully known.”
I have found that to be true each year as I’ve gone back through the Bible. Sometimes I find myself feeling as if a passage just appeared there for the first time. I’m reminded that no matter how many times we read through the Bible, we have only scratched the surface. I hope you feel the same.
Indeed these are the mere edges of His ways,
And how small a whisper we hear of Him!
But the thunder of His power who can understand?” (Job 26.14)
1 Comment
Leave your reply.